Which two methods are used for reduction of metal oxides?

Reduction is carried out to obtain metal from metal oxide.

The 2 methods used to reduce metal oxide are:

i) Chemical reduction: When metal oxide is heated in blast furnace with carbon or carbon monoxide, metal is obtained.

e.g.

ii) Electrochemical reduction: Oxides of active metals such as sodium, magnesium, etc cannot be reduced from carbon because of their more attraction towards oxygen. Hence, electrochemical reduction is used for the reduction of active metals.

e.g. electrochemical reduction of alumina to obtain aluminium.